Hayden to select police chief

Thursday Town Board meeting to address position, water rates

Hayden  Hayden officials are close to announcing the hiring of the town's next police chief.

The new police chief and 2007 water rates will be the primary discussion items during a Town Board meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Hayden Town Hall.

On Monday, town trustees interviewed three finalists for the chief position. The finalists are Routt County Undersheriff Dan Taylor, Routt County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Ray Birch and former Rangely police Chief Flint Chambers. After the interviews, trustees directed Hayden Town Manager Russ Martin to start negotiating the position with one of the finalists.

On Tuesday, Martin said details - such as the chief's starting salary - still were being finalized. Martin said he could not release the name of the finalist chosen by town trustees.

Also on Thursday, the Town Board will consider raising 2007 water rates by about 33 percent.

In 2003, the town began a five-year plan to adjust rates so that water usage fees would cover the cost of producing the water.

"We're finally caught up after years of not raising rates," Martin said.

The board has made increases of about 50 percent a year during the past three years. Because significant increases have been made, Hayden residents should expect only modest increases in future years, Martin said. Those increases will be based on the cost of producing the water.

"We're still not building any reserves," Martin said. "That's why we're going for so many grants."

Hayden is requesting $517,800 in Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance money to replace 2,600 feet of pipe and extend a water line 1,800 feet to a planned police station.

Martin said he thinks the town has a good chance of receiving the grant money because Hayden residents have accepted increased water rates so progress could be made on water projects.